Mthethwa : 'Local content must dominate radio and television'

The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa addressing the nation on the progress of his department's Relief Fund. Image: Twitter/@NathiMthethwa

The South African Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa earlier today  hosted a media briefing in Hatfield, Pretoria, to brief the nation on the department's COVID-19 Relief Fund. 

On 25 March, the Minister announced a R150 million Relief Fund. Today he confirmed that the Department has received 5000 applications from the arts &culture sector and 300 from sport sector.

Mthethwa explained that over 1000 applications have been assessed by the independent panel; 232 have been recommended for payments.

"We said that the ceiling is going to be R20 000. So, it means if you feel that you've lost R4 million, we won't have that amount of money. We will have this cake to slice for many people at a maximum of R20 000," he said. 

In the arts &culture sector, over 600 applications were not recommended for payments and 203 were considered for reassessments. There is also an appeal process, unsuccessful applicants can  appeal from today onwards and must provide proof of cancellation of events, tax clearances and other personal information. 

The Minister also pleaded for local content to dominate on radio and television, to ensure that the artist's livelihood is taken care of, especially during this time. 

"We will be engaging with the SABC because it doesn't help to have Needletime Rights royalties to be benefitting artists overseas but not here at home in South Africa,"

"We are concerned about the high number of applications in the arts&culture sector that were not recommended for payments as they didn't comply with the requirements after the independent panel completed its due diligence. The Department will look into this," said Mthethwa

The capacity of the adjudicating panel has been increased to ensure that the process for the COVID-19 Relief Fund for the Arts and Culture sector is fast tracked.  

"On 6 May, we will meet with key national organisations in the creative industries to look at how, within the legal parameters, we can ensure that those who really need the assistance, especially from the disadvantaged communities, receive funding," he ended.